Black Weekend: Kemet in the Desert is a series of events founded and brought to Southern Nevada eight years ago by the late KCEP on-air personality and community activist Franklin G. Verley. And it’s back!

Verley was a native New Yorker who relocated to Las Vegas and did what came naturally to him, educated and uplifted those around him. Franklin was passionate about the African American community and about connecting the community and the power of mass media back to its historical relevance.

Every year, Kemet in the Desert features a spectacular line-up of speakers including world-renowned authors, doctors, professors, educators, and local performers. Among the participants this year are Professor Jabari Osaze, Yusuf Salaam and Raymond Santana from the Exonerated 5 (Central Park 5), Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu (Ancient African history lecturer), Jess Flo (local spoken word artist), Studio 305, and China Hudson (local African dance instructor), just to name a few.

While this year will be slightly different due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Las Vegas community will still be in for a treat!

This year, local community activists, Lady AK (AK’s Closet, Power 88 Radio host) and LJ Edmondson (Mastering Mindsets Las Vegas) are leading the charge to bring Kemet in the Desert back again! Lady AK says, “it’s not about Kwanzaa, it’s not just about Black History Month, it’s about taking these teachings and applying them to your life.”

Tap the video to hear more!

Viewers may tune in to Kemet in the Desert February 25-27 at 6 p.m. on the local, black-owned television network, Kingdom Television Network, 35.1.

For more information about this event and future activities, please tune into KCEP Power 88, visit  www.akscloset.org or www.masteringmindsets.org to learn more.